Grapple fork-umbrella combination



Filed Dec.

S. C. BYCZEK GRAPPLE FORK-UMBRELLA COMBINATION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Stanley 0. Bycmlr INVENTOR.

Attorneys 1955 s. c. BYCZEK GRAPPLE FORK-UMBRELLA COMBINATION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 17, 1951 Stanley INVENTOR.

United States Patent 2,720,886 GRAPPLE FORK-UMBRELLA COMBINATION Stanley C. Byczelr, Weyerhauser, Wis. Application December 17, 1951, Serial No. 262,084 6 Claims. (Cl. 135-20) This invention relates generally to a frame construction, and more particularly to an adjustable frame construction adapted to be used either as a grapple fork or an umbrella frame.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel type grapple fork for the handling of loose fodder such as hay.

Another object of this invention is to provide a gear operated means for forcefully pivoting the tines of a grapple fork.

Another object of this invention is to provide means on the grapple fork for selectively locking the tines with respect to the handle of a grapple fork.

A further object of this invention is to provide a grapple fork with support means whereby it may be used as an umbrella frame.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention, which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the adjustable frame construction which is the subject of this invention, with the arms in their closed position;

Figure 2 is a partial front elevational view of the adjustable frame construction of Figure 1, parts being omitted and other parts being shown in section to show the support means for the arms;

Figure 3 is a partial front elevational view similar to Figure 2 showing the arms in their closed position;

Figure 4 is a partial enlarged transverse vertical sectional view showing the gear drive means for folding the anns, and means for locking the arms in position; and

Figure 5 is a front elevational view, parts being broken away and showing the adjustable frame construction as being .used as a frame for an umbrella.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawings as illustrative of the principles of the invention, comprises a novel adjustable frame construction adapted to be used either as a grapple fork or as an umbrella frame. Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the adjustable frame construction is generally referred to by the reference numeral and includes an elongated shaft 12 having rigidly mounted thereon adjacent one end a sleeve 14. The sleeve 14 is provided with a plurality of radially spaced pairs of support brackets 16 to which are pivotally secured a plurality of substantially semicircular arms 18 which extend radially from the sleeve 14. Slidably mounted on the shaft 12 is a second sleeve 20 which is provided with a plurality of spaced radially extending pairs of support brackets 22. Attached to each semi-circular arm 18 is a bracket 24 having spaced parallel legs 26. Extending between the brackets 22 and the parallel legs 26 are a plurality of braces 28 which are pivotally secured to the bracket 22 and the legs 26. The pivot pins for the above mentioned pivoted joints are common double headed rivets and are designated by the reference numeral 30.. The free ends 32 of the arms 18 may be sharpened if desired for a purpose to be discussed hereinafter.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be seen that the elongated shaft 12 has integrally formed thereon a rack 34. The sleeve 20 which is slidably mounted on the elongated shaft 12 is provided adjacent its lower end with a pair of spaced shoulders 36. A pinion gear 38 is rotatably mounted between the shoulders 36 on a shaft 40 which is journaled in the shoulders 36. The pinion gear 38 meshes with the rack 34, and when the pinion gear 38 is rotated clockwise the sleeve 20 is forced to move upwardly on the shaft 12. When the rotation of the pinion gear 38 is counter-clockwise, the sleeve 20 moves down the shaft 12. Mounted on the sleeve 20 adjacent its upper end is a bushing 42. The bushing 42 is provided with a threaded bore which extends through the wall of the sleeve 20, and in which is threaded a bolt 46. The bolt 46 is provided with a control handle 48. When the end of the bolt 46 is moved into engagement with the shaft 12, the sleeve is prevented from moving longitudinally of the shaft 12. Integral with the shaft 40 is a handle 50 which when rotated also rotates the pinion gear 38.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, it will be seen that the elongated shaft is provided at its upper end with a support 52 in the form of a conventional handle. The lower end of the'elongated shaft 12 is provided with a support 54 adjacent the sleeve 14. The support 54 is in the form of an internally threaded sleeve, the purpose of which will be explained later.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 the operation of the adjustable frame construction as a grapple fork will be explained. When the adjustable frame construction is used as a grapple fork the semi-circular ribs function as tines and will be so referred to in the description of the grapple fork. When it is desired to move fodder such as hay, the grapple fork with the tines in their extended position is shoved into a hay pile.. Then by grasping the handle 52 the sleeve 20 is moved downwardly on the shaft 12 by the operator placing his foot on one of the brackets 22 or some other convenient extension in a downwardlydirected force. The downward movement of the sleeve 20 forces the braces 28 downwardly and outwardly whereby the tines 18 have their free ends 22 moved towards each other until they are in the closed position as shown in Figure 3. In this position the tines securely grasp the hay between themselves. The load of hay is then carried to the desired position where it is released by moving the sleeve 20 outwardly toward the handle 22 whereby the tines 18 are returned to their open position. If the hay is tightly packed or for some other obvious reason, it is difficult to force the tines 18 into their closed position, then the sleeve 20 is moved downwardly on the elongated shaft 12 by rotating the handle 50. The rotation of the handle 50 turns the gear 38 which en'gages'the rack 34 and moves the sleeve 20 'downw'ardly'i'n the manner explainedhereinbefore.

In view of the fact that a grapple fork is normally idle most of the time, means has been devised whereby it may be used as a frame for an umbrella to be mounted on a tractor. Referring now to Figure 5, it will be seen that the internally threaded support 54 at the lower end of the elongated shaft 12 has threadedly received therein a pole 56. The adjustable frame construction 10 has its semi-circular ribs 18 locked in their open position by the locking bolt 46. A fabric covering is then placed over the frame construction 10, said fabric construction being referred to generally by the reference numeral 58. The fabric covering '58 is provided at its upper end with a reinforced portion 60 which engages the upper end of the handle 52. Attached to the inner side of the cover .58 are a plurality of spaced pockets 62. The spaced pockets 62 are secured along the peripheral edge of the cover 58 and are opened upwardly to receive the free ends 32 of .the arms 18. 'The pockets .62 are of heavy construction and protect the user of the umbrella from the sharp free ends '32. Secured to a portion of a tractor which will he referred to generally by the reference numeral 64 are a pair of spaced mounting brackets 66 and 68 in which are detachably received the pole 56.

From the foregoing, it is believed obvious that while the frame construction is designed for normal use as a grapple for'k, that it may .be easily modified to serve as the frame workof an umbrella. To change from its use as a grapple fork to an umbrella, it is merely necessary to screw in the pole 56 and attach the covering 58 to the frame construction. The frame construction is .particularly novel in that it has no parts which do not have a function in both uses. When .the frame construction is utilized as ,a grapple .fork, the support 54 at the bottom of the elongated shank 12 engages the top of the hay pile and aids in preventing the fork from moving downwardly too far into the pile. When the frame construction is utilized in an umbrella, the handle 52 serves as an enlarged end of a center pole and supports the top central portion of the cover 58.

From the foregoing, in the construction and operation of the device .it will be readily understood and further ex planation is believed unnecessary. However, since nu merous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents will be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, new is:

1. An adjustable frame construction comprising an elongated shaft, a plurality .of ribs pivotally secured to said shaft adjacent one .end thereof, a sleeve slidably mounted on said shaft, a plurality of braces pivotally secured to said ribs and to said sleeve, means for sliding said sleeve longitudinally on said shaft, whereby the free ends of said ribs are selectively moved towards and away from one another, said ribs being substantially semi-circular and generally forming the outline of a sphere when their free ends are adjacent one another, said sleeve being .carried by said shaft in all positions of said ribs.

2. An adjustable frame construction comprising an what is claimed as elongated shaft, a plurality of ribs pivotally secured to said shaft adjacent one end thereof, a sleeve slidably mounted on said shaft, ,a plurality of braces pivotally secured to said ribs and to said sleeve, means ,forvsliding said sleeve longitudinally on said shaft, whereby the free ends of said ribs are selectively moved towards and away from one another, saidmeans for sliding said sleeve including a longitudinally extending rack on said shaft, a pinion rotatably .carried "by said sleeve .and meshing with said rack, means for rotating said pinion, said ribs being substantially semi-circular and generally forming the outline of a sphere when their free ends are adjacent one another.

3. An adjustable frame construction comprising an elongated shaft, a plurality of ribs pivotally secured to said shaft adjacent one end thereof, a sleeve slidably mounted on said shaft, a plurality of braces pivotally secured to said ribs and to said sleeve, means for sliding said sleeve longitudinally on said shaft, whereby the free ends of said ribs are selectively moved towards and away from one another, said means for sliding said sleeve including a longitudinally extending rack on said shaft, a pinion rotatably carried by said sleeve and meshing with said rack, means for rotating said pinion, said ribs being substantially semi-circular and generally forming the outline of a sphere when their free ends are adjacent one another, means carried by said sleeve for locking said sleeve to said shaft when the ribs are in the desired position.

4. An adjustable frame construction comprising an elongated shaft, a plurality of ribs pivotally connected to one end of said shaft, said ribs being arcuate and opening away from an opposite end of said shaft, means carried by said shaft for moving said ribs from an open position to a closed position, said ribs being generally semi-circular and generally form a sphere when in a closed position with free ends of said ribs being adjacent each other and in spaced alignment with respect to said shaft, said means including a sleeve slidable on said shaft, a plurality of braces pivotally secured to said ribs and said sleeve.

5. An adjustable frame construction comprising an elongated shaft, a plurality of ribs pivotally connected to one end of said shaft, said ribs being arcuate and opening away from an Opposite end of said shaft, means carried by saidshaft for moving said ribs from an open position Ioa closed position, a connecting member on said shaft ,at said one endforreceiving a support for said frame construction, a supporting handle secured to said opposite end.

6. ,In an umbrella, an adjustable frame construction comprising anelongated shaft, a plurality of ribs pivotally connected to one end of said shaft, said ribs being arcuate and opening away from an opposite end of said shaft, means carried by said shaft for moving said ribs from an open position to a closed position, said means being disposed completely between said ribs and said opposite end, .and a flexible covering over said frame construction.

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED vSTATES PATENTS 144,876 Spencer Nov. 25, 1873 174,448 Toscelli Mar. 7, 1876 786,663 McCoy Apr. 4, 1905 1,145,220 Smith July 6, 1915 1,885,377 Robinson Nov. 1, 1932 2,497,600 Grigsby Feb. 14, 1950 2,529,745 Stanley Nov. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,307 .Great Britain Sept. 14, 1844 25,566 ,Austria Sept. 10, 1906 

